N. Dakota celebrates oil upgrades

BISMARCK, N.D., Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The North Dakota government said it welcomed the announcement of expansion projects meant to facilitate the delivery of crude oil from the state.

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple joined officials from Enbridge Pipelines LLC to mark the completion of a rail terminal and pipeline systems for the state.

Enbridge expanded its Bakken pipeline system so it can carry 475,000 barrels of oil per day from North Dakota to Manitoba, Canada. A rail terminal in the state can handle 80,000 bpd and a new pipeline, Sandpiper, would be able to carry 225,000 bpd to a hub in Minnesota. Sandpiper construction starts next year.

"These projects are important advancements in the responsible development of our energy resources," the governor said in a statement Monday. "By expanding our rail and pipeline capacity we can better meet the needs of our energy production and further reduce truck traffic, dust and wear and tear on our roads."

The state hosts the Three Forks and Bakken shale reserve areas, which put the state in the No. 2 spot behind Texas in terms of production of natural resources.

The government said the June production of 821,415 barrels of oil per day was an all-time high and 1.2 percent higher than the previous record in May.

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